YANKEES HAVE ‘CONCERN’ ABOUT A-ROD ALLEGATIONS

Hal Steinbrenner didn’t add much to what has previously been said by the Yankees regarding recent allegations connecting Alex Rodriguez to performance-enhancing drugs.

But he did use a word sure to reverberate for a bit.

“It’s a concern,” the team’s managing general partner said early Friday afternoon, “but it’s out of our hands. We’ll cooperate with MLB in any way we can, in any way we’re asked to, but other than that, there’s not much to say. I don’t know any more than you do.”

A report in the Miami New Times a week ago Tuesday alleged the Yankees third baseman, who is recovering from hip surgery and is expected to miss at least half the season, to have purchased PEDs from a South Florida anti-aging clinic from 2009 into last season.

Major League Baseball is investigating the clinic, Biogenesis — which is now closed — and its connection to numerous baseball players.

Rodriguez is owed $114 million for the next five years, a contract the Yankees very much would like to get out of.

But even if MLB determines A-Rod to have used PEDs — Rodriguez, through a spokesman, has vehemently denied the allegations — the Yankees won’t be able to discipline him, per the Joint Drug Agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Hernandez out of WBC

Felix Hernandez said he won’t pitch for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The Seattle Mariners ace said in an interview with the Venezuelan sports newspaper Lider that it was a difficult decision to sit out. But he said he should think of his future and denied being influenced by any type of pressure from the Mariners.

Hernandez and the Mariners are working on a $175 million, seven-year contract that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.

Wilson not talking money

The agent for free agent closer Brian Wilson said his client has asked him to not discuss dollar figures with teams until he is fully healthy, CSN Bay Area reported.

Wilson agent, Dan Lozano, is “baffled” that San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said publicly that Wilson is asking for guaranteed money but the Giants are only willing to offer an incentive-laden deal for him to return to the team.

Wilson missed most of last season after having Tommy John surgery.

Around the majors

The Miami Marlins further addressed their infield depth, adding ex-Mariner Chone Figgins, 35, on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

• The Arizona Diamondbacks and Aaron Hill have reached a deal that will keep him under contract through the 2016 season. The deal adds three years and $35 million to his existing deal, which pays him $5.5 million this year. That means the overall contract is worth $40.5 million over the next four years.

• The Cardinals and 2011 World Series MVP David Freese reached agreement on a one-year contract worth $3.075 million that avoids salary arbitration.